Another issue is seeming to pop out of Meta Knight's game- Planking.. So what can us Lucas users do about this absurd, yet legal strategy? In this thread I will discuss my solution for Lucas. Most of note, however, is the thought of stalling, but that will be answered last.
WHY?
Planking is taking the strongest and most abusive character and giving him invincibility frames, forcing his opponent to approach him, and giving him the advantage of attacking from a defensive position.
This is exactly what we intend to force Meta Knight to do, except we plan on taking his defensive advantage for ourselves. Simple solution- we have projectiles, and **** good ones at that
HOW?
First off consider the special moves Lucas has.
Additionally, take a look at his Smash attacks:
Lucas has some really amazing special moves to play a defensive game with. Considering his ability to space with PK Fire, and his choice in move against plankers, Lucas is an ideal character to play a game of cat-and-mouse with your foe. His Smash attacks push this further, as they are best used to punish flaws in Meta Knights approaches.
WHAT (to do):
As soon as you see MK run to a ledge, you know the basic strategy of your opponent- he is expecting you to approach. DO NOT DO THIS! When you approach Meta Knight, you are taking away most of Lucas' advantages in this match up.
First and foremost, space yourself a decent amount from the edge that MK is planking on. Prepare your space so that you can either loop PKT twice around the edge or hit directly below the edge with PK Freeze. For PKT, make sure to skim the projectile just above the ground, so that you can lose the projectile at a moments notice and stop a grounded approach.
Meta Knight will probably continue planking once he is hit with your projectile- keep it up! Give him as much worthless damage as you can. After realizing that planking is not a viable strategy, he will probably try to approach. IF you cannot find a way to punish his approach, run! why not? Keep the advantage in your favor.
Lucas has amazing spacing abilities, most notably PK Fire, Magnet Pulling, and the Zap Jump. PK Fire is awesome because when spaced properly, cannot be punished. You can FH and lagless a PKF and wavebounce back to a defensive position... Brilliant!
But why Magnet Pull and Zap Jump? isnt Meta Knight at an advantage in the air?
YES. but we have a surprising advantage. Speed. Have you ever noticed how quickly Lucas can move when Magnet Pulling? Or how fast you accelerate upward when Zap Jumping? you should be taking to the air, specifically to avoid Meta Knights aerial power!
Why let him ever have the advantage? we can move around the screen through the air quicker than he can, so there is no reason to give him an advantage.... if he takes to the air, get on the other side of the stage. Avoid him unless he is approaching from the ground, and if he is, punish him!
From this position, is it up to you to play Meta Knight to the best of your abilities. I suggest continuing an evasive game- If you are constantly dealing small amounts of damage and avoiding taking damage, there is no reason why you should not be able to beat a Meta Knight, even if it takes all 8 minutes.
I see no reason at all for Lucas to ever approach Meta Knight. Lucas has some amazing defensive properties, AT's, and moves that should all be used to your advantage. As I said earlier, Lucas loses a lot of his advantages in this match as soon as you either approach or engage in close combat- space well, hit him away from you, and run.
As Bowyer said, Characters are capable of timing out opponents. I feel that this really applies to Lucas' game- but this game of evasion is only a suggestion to the problem of planking- you need to find out what works for you.
My biggest issue with this is you do not want to be seen as "stalling"- so here is my arguement for that. When Meta Knight starts planking, he is taking a defensive position as to avoid being forced to approach- he is playing the best defensive game he possibly can. Lucas can play a defensive game that is not based on planking- so if someone claims you are stalling in not approaching, state that you are moving into an advantageous position, and then begin launching the Thunder / Freeze at that planking MK.
anyway, Discussion!
After reading these 2 quotes, and a few PMs sent back and forth with Levitas(generally about planking), I think I have come to the conclusion that more Lucas mains should consider not just running out the 8 minute timer, but playing a game of evasion rather than a game of aggression- yes, this means typically taking a defensive stance against a planking character.
WHY?
Planking is taking the strongest and most abusive character and giving him invincibility frames, forcing his opponent to approach him, and giving him the advantage of attacking from a defensive position.
This is exactly what we intend to force Meta Knight to do, except we plan on taking his defensive advantage for ourselves. Simple solution- we have projectiles, and **** good ones at that
HOW?
First off consider the special moves Lucas has.
- PK Fire - unlike the Ness version, is built around exploding and pushing your opponent away, rather than pillaring and giving you an opportunity to attack.
- PK Thunder - While generally underused, this move is one of the main supports to what I am proposing. When Looped it can force opponents off ledges, and eventually force them to approach.
- PK Freeze - Another option, used to force opponents off ledges and approach. Also a viable gimping option.
Additionally, take a look at his Smash attacks:
- U-Smash - This move is often overlooked due to its absurd lag, but it is a very well balanced move. This should only be used if you are certain that it will connect, or if you will not be horribly punished.
- F-Smash - A great move. It has good knockback at higher percentages, and can punish the hell out of an improper ground approach.
- D-Smash - Another awesome move. This will punish dodges and rolls of your opponent.
Lucas has some really amazing special moves to play a defensive game with. Considering his ability to space with PK Fire, and his choice in move against plankers, Lucas is an ideal character to play a game of cat-and-mouse with your foe. His Smash attacks push this further, as they are best used to punish flaws in Meta Knights approaches.
WHAT (to do):
As soon as you see MK run to a ledge, you know the basic strategy of your opponent- he is expecting you to approach. DO NOT DO THIS! When you approach Meta Knight, you are taking away most of Lucas' advantages in this match up.
First and foremost, space yourself a decent amount from the edge that MK is planking on. Prepare your space so that you can either loop PKT twice around the edge or hit directly below the edge with PK Freeze. For PKT, make sure to skim the projectile just above the ground, so that you can lose the projectile at a moments notice and stop a grounded approach.
Meta Knight will probably continue planking once he is hit with your projectile- keep it up! Give him as much worthless damage as you can. After realizing that planking is not a viable strategy, he will probably try to approach. IF you cannot find a way to punish his approach, run! why not? Keep the advantage in your favor.
Lucas has amazing spacing abilities, most notably PK Fire, Magnet Pulling, and the Zap Jump. PK Fire is awesome because when spaced properly, cannot be punished. You can FH and lagless a PKF and wavebounce back to a defensive position... Brilliant!
But why Magnet Pull and Zap Jump? isnt Meta Knight at an advantage in the air?
YES. but we have a surprising advantage. Speed. Have you ever noticed how quickly Lucas can move when Magnet Pulling? Or how fast you accelerate upward when Zap Jumping? you should be taking to the air, specifically to avoid Meta Knights aerial power!
Why let him ever have the advantage? we can move around the screen through the air quicker than he can, so there is no reason to give him an advantage.... if he takes to the air, get on the other side of the stage. Avoid him unless he is approaching from the ground, and if he is, punish him!
From this position, is it up to you to play Meta Knight to the best of your abilities. I suggest continuing an evasive game- If you are constantly dealing small amounts of damage and avoiding taking damage, there is no reason why you should not be able to beat a Meta Knight, even if it takes all 8 minutes.
I see no reason at all for Lucas to ever approach Meta Knight. Lucas has some amazing defensive properties, AT's, and moves that should all be used to your advantage. As I said earlier, Lucas loses a lot of his advantages in this match as soon as you either approach or engage in close combat- space well, hit him away from you, and run.
As Bowyer said, Characters are capable of timing out opponents. I feel that this really applies to Lucas' game- but this game of evasion is only a suggestion to the problem of planking- you need to find out what works for you.
My biggest issue with this is you do not want to be seen as "stalling"- so here is my arguement for that. When Meta Knight starts planking, he is taking a defensive position as to avoid being forced to approach- he is playing the best defensive game he possibly can. Lucas can play a defensive game that is not based on planking- so if someone claims you are stalling in not approaching, state that you are moving into an advantageous position, and then begin launching the Thunder / Freeze at that planking MK.
Im sorry if this was written as not a complete thought process, i kinda copied and pasted my thoughts from planking- please forgive any sloppiness
